Dealer Guide
Shade Pocket / Wiring Planning Guide
Motorized shades need early coordination. Use this guide to plan recessed pockets, fascia, power, wiring paths, control locations, side channels, service access, and construction coordination before walls and ceilings close.
Start Here
Decide how the shade will be mounted before construction closes.
Shade appearance, wiring, serviceability, and blackout performance all depend on early coordination. Recessed pockets and hidden conditions need to be planned before ceilings and millwork are finished.
Recessed does not mean inaccessible.
Even hidden shades need access for adjustment, replacement, programming, and future service.
Mounting Condition
Confirm whether shades will be exposed, fascia-mounted, recessed into pockets, ceiling-mounted, or integrated into millwork.
Power Path
Identify how each motorized shade will receive power and where wiring will terminate before construction decisions are locked in.
Control Strategy
Plan whether shades will be controlled by keypad, remote, app, schedule, voice, sensor, or automation scene.
Service Access
Recessed shades still need to be accessible for adjustment, replacement, programming, and future service.
Mounting Conditions
Match the installation method to the desired finish.
The final look depends on the mounting condition. Confirm whether the shade should be visible, covered by fascia, fully recessed, paired with side channels, or designed as a dual roller solution.
Exposed Roll
Simpler to plan and service, but the shade roll remains visible unless paired with fascia or a decorative treatment.
Fascia-Mounted
A clean finished option that hides the roll while maintaining easier access than a fully recessed pocket.
Recessed Pocket
Creates the most architectural look, but requires early coordination with framing, ceiling conditions, power, and service access.
Side Channels
Often used for better room darkening or blackout performance. Confirm width, depth, finish, and mounting surface early.
Dual Roller
Supports both solar and blackout fabrics in one opening, but requires more space and careful pocket planning.
Large Glass Spans
May require larger pockets, stronger motors, multiple shade sections, alignment planning, and precise measurements.
Pocket and Wiring Questions
Ask these before rough-in is finalized.
These questions help clarify mounting type, pocket size, power source, wiring termination, side channels, dual rollers, large openings, and future service access.
Coordinate With
Builder / GC
Coordinate pockets, framing, blocking, ceiling details, access panels, and construction timing.
Coordinate With
Electrician
Coordinate power locations, wiring type, termination points, panel needs, and inspection considerations.
Coordinate With
Designer
Confirm visible finishes, fascia color, fabric expectations, pocket concealment, and room aesthetics.
Coordinate With
Integrator
Confirm control, automation scenes, network needs, wiring documentation, and final system handoff.
Pocket / Wiring Checklist
Confirm these before rough-in.
Use this checklist to keep pocket planning, power, wiring, service access, finish details, and future locations coordinated before construction closes.
Common Mistakes
Avoid shade infrastructure mistakes that are hard to fix later.
Shade pocket, power, wiring, and ceiling coordination issues are easiest to solve before the project reaches trim and finish stage.
Related Resources
Continue planning the shade system.
Use these related guides to continue planning shade discovery, fabric openness, lighting and shade scenes, and smart home prewire.
When to Call DSG Metro
Bring us in before walls, ceilings, and millwork are finalized.
DSG Metro can help think through shade pockets, fascia, exposed rolls, side channels, dual rollers, power, wiring, control, service access, and coordination with builders, electricians, designers, and integrators.